Our Two Cents Podcast

Bob Meadows is the Business Development Director for the City of Shafter and is responsible for attracting new businesses, accelerating the success of existing local businesses, advancing skills of the local workforce, and promoting Shafter through multiple media platforms and personal networking efforts. He also connects with local residents and business owners while building relationships with e...

Brian Miller is a local product of Bakersfield who grew up and attended school in the city from elementary school through postsecondary education. He has worked as an administrator at the Regional Occupational Center (ROC) and now also the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) in a variety of capacities the past 11 years, including most recently as Principal. He has a passion for providing oppo...

Dr. Jeremy Alan Woods is an Associate Professor for the California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) School of Business and Public Administration and leads the school's entrepreneurship program. He is a Stanford-educated former Fulbright Scholar with over 25 years of experience as an educator, entrepreneur, executive, and consultant. In addition to teaching and coaching over 4,000 students, publ...

Brian was born the ninth of eleven children in Philadelphia, PA. He served four years in the United States Marine Corps and obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. He was in the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for 28 years where he created the Peer Support Program and retired as an Assistant Chief. Scott and Brian discuss how his true police articles called "Cop Tales' appear in the Ba...

Robert Price is Digital Managing Editor, and a columnist and broadcast reporter, for 17 News and KGET.com. Robert joined the team in February 2020 after 32 years at the Bakersfield Californian, where he served in more than a dozen roles, among them Metro Columnist, Executive Editor, News Editor, Opinion Editor, Eye Street/Features Editor, city and county government reporter, business/energy report...

Leah Lopeteguy-Hoffman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who is passionate about people. As a jack of all trades, and ace of one, Leah has been able to utilize the knowledge and experiences gained from her employment within the service industry to work with diverse populations including senior and aging adults, students and families, spectrum...

David J. Reibstein is the William S. Woodside Professor and Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is a world-renowned expert on branding, marketing metrics, product line decisions, and competitive marketing strategy. For several years he served as the Vice Dean of The Wharton School. Professor Reibstein is a dynamic, award-winning teacher who has...

Troy Burden shares five things to consider at open enrollment plus one bonus tip.  LEARN MORE ABOUT TROY BURDEN: Website: www.lynncompany.com Phone: 661-301-1247 Instagram: @TroyBurden  

Roshni Patel is the Founder/CEO of Thrive HR Consulting, skilled in all aspects of HR including recruiting, benefit administration, payroll, leadership development, performance management, and compliance to name a few. Her main passion is to work with business owners and management teams to develop strategic plans that are tailored and convenient for every business's success. Roshni Patel discusse...

Jon Ferrara is the founder and CEO of Nimble, an award-winning social sales, and marketing CRM for individuals and teams. It's Ranked #1 in Overall Satisfaction by G2 Crowd and integrates with Microsoft Office 365 and Google G Suite. Learn more at Nimble.com. Ferrara was the creator and co-founder of the award-winning customer management product GoldMine. In 1999, Goldmine was acquired by FrontRan...

Mark Kelegian, a Southern California native and an attorney who operated casinos, acquired the original—and only—Randy's Donuts in Inglewood, California, in 2015 with plans to eventually expand. Since 2017, under Sansmark Inc. — the name adds the initials of Kelegian's wife, Shelly, and daughters Ashley, Nicolette and Susan to his own first name — Mark Kelegian has opened locations in El Segundo,...

Tracie Barmann has 15+ years in Business and commercial banking. 20+ years managing her own residential real estate and almost 4 years as co-owner of a real estate franchise. She has a passion for entrepreneurship, business, and pursuing possibilities. She started 'Sharing Spaces' a few years ago but she encourages everyone to be a part of her journey.  Tracie and Scott discuss the long journey it...

Joe Peters is a born and raised Bakersfield native who has a background in the oil and gas industry for the last 13 years. He recently purchased a new company and stepped out of the oil industry all while being a self managed and independent touring musician/singer songwriter. Joe discusses his reasoning for leaving the Oil industry and the different companies he and his family have had the opport...

Heather Laganelli founded Locale Farm to Table in 2015 and focuses on using sustainable organic ingredients. She is a Board Member of Bakersfield Hub and is the Chair for their innovation Lab Project. Aside from running her successful restaurant she enjoys photography, art designs, and blogging. John and Heather discuss how difficult it can be to take over an already existing restaurant and how im...

Team OTC welcomes Sheriff, Donny Youngblood. Sheriff Youngblood joined the Kern County Sheriff's Department in 1972 as a Correctional Officer assigned to the Lerdo Facility. Two years later, he entered the basic academy to begin training to become a Deputy Sheriff. And in 2006, the citizens of Kern County elected Donny Youngblood to the Office of Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator.  Listen while...

Krista and Bryce Horton are local Bakersfield Instagram influencers with a global following. Their journey started back in 2012 when Krista started posting "mommy-and-me" pictures with her then 1 year old, Boston (Boss).    Over time, the Hortons started sharing more and more of their personal lives and their audience exploded. Krista now has over 1.3 million followers on Instagram.    Kyle and Sh...

Jeremy S. Adams is one of the most decorated educators in the state of California. In 2018, he was the first classroom teacher inducted into the California State University Bakersfield Hall of Fame. A graduate of Washington & Lee University and CSU-Bakersfield, he has written on politics and education for the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Huffington Post, The Daily Caller, The American Conse...

Troy Burden talks about September being Life Insurance Awareness month and how important it really is during these crazy times.  LEARN MORE ABOUT TROY BURDEN: Website: www.lynncompany.com Phone: 661-301-1247 Instagram: @TroyBurden

Amy Travis serves as the Executive Director of CASA of Kern County. She has been instrumental in the organizations restructuring and development, in launching new funding streams, and increasing volunteerism. She serves on the Kern County Network for Children Board of Directors addressing the most critical issues facing children in Kern County.  Troy sits down with Amy and Diana to discuss CASA's...

Shannon Eckroth sits down with Kyle Jones to discuss social media marketing and much more.  LEARN MORE ABOUT SHANNON ECKROTH: Website: www.eckroth.net/ Email: info@eckroth.net Phone: 661-567-7875 LinkedIn: @ShannonEckroth  

Anthony Garcia is an expert in sales training, recruiting, goal achievement and motivating salespeople to peak performance. He is the Author of the 'International Best-Selling' book: "Catapulting Commissions: Achieve Your Next Sales Goal" which has been endorsed by Selling Power Magazine as one of the BEST sales book to read in 2021. Anthony is a keynote speaker who has shared the stage with Les B...

Troy Burden breaks down the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).    LEARN MORE ABOUT TROY BURDEN: Website: www.lynncompany.com Phone: 661-301-1247 Instagram: @TroyBurden

P.K. has over 25 years of sales experience and is the Director of Business Development for Mid Cal Labor Solutions. A local business that serves the employment needs for Petroleum and Construction Industries in Kern County.  Employer's are receiving a surplus of applications but continue to struggle filling their positions. Troy and P.K. discuss how temp agencies like Mid Cal Labor Solutions can h...

Kyle Jones shares a few tips you should know when funding a living trust.  LEARN MORE ABOUT KYLE JONES:  Website: www.kwjoneslaw.com Phone: 661-833-1090 Email: kylejones@kwjoneslaw.com  

Kaelyn Peterson is the Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and the Executive Director of BAKPAC. Kaelyn began her career in Sacramento, CA working for then Senator, Jean Fuller in the California State Capitol and moved back to Bakersfield in 2018 to begin her work with the Chamber. Kaelyn runs the Chamber's comprehensive advocacy and public affairs platform, where she works to promote busines...